Local actors, stellar performances in 'Into the Woods'

For more than 40 years, the Streetcar Company has been providing high-quality community theatre in the Lakes Region. This weekend, in conjunction with its Streetcar Kids and Youth Theatre, the company will be bringing area residents Into the Woods.

In the first act of the musical production, the audience is introduced to a host of characters, many of whom are familiar.

Cinderella, Jack, his domineering mom and his cow Milky-White, the Baker and his Wife, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and the evil, wicked witch are all on stage.

There are a variety of stellar performances by a host of experienced thespians, from seventh grade through 11th. All local actors, they hail from Belmont, Laconia, Gilford, Bow, and Concord.

Director-Producer Matt Demko has been involved with the company for more than 17 years. His work with local performers is well-known. The choreography and costumes come from the teens themselves.

This is not a show for the faint of heart, for there are many challenges presented to the characters, and through them, many of scenes can be deemed methaphors for contemporary life.

Camryn Marshall greets the audience and gives an overview of what is to transpire.

The Baker and his Wife, played with skill and exuberance by Chris Renaud and Chelsea Sasserson, desire a child and become entangled in a web with the very scary Witch, played by New Hampshire All State Hailey Kaliscik, who diabolically weaves the well-known characters and their wishes into her net.

Chelsea Sasserson is a veteran of more than 15 shows and, in addition to her role as the Baker’s Wife, the Gilford High School sophomore is one of the choreographers.

She enjoys the stage and “getting herself into character." Chelsea refers to that successful transition being appreciated by the audience as “the best feeling in the world," and receiving recognition for that is for “all the work you have done.”

"Grotesque" describes Hailey Kaliscik’s costume and the Witch’s constant threats looming over Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel and even Jack’s cow Milky White, played wordlessly yet with outstanding facial expressions by 12-year-old Sophia Cluett of Belmont.

Sophia describes her love of acting coming from the audience’s reactions. “I love to entertain and give joy,” said the seventh-grader.

Perhaps the scariest of interactions comes from Kathryn Osburn as Little Red Riding Hood and Griff Plourde as her constant threat. At one point, Kathryn in song reminds all about “never talking to a stranger.”

Long hair, a slipper, scary “mystery man” transformations, a cow reincarnation are all interpreted perfectly by cast members who are obviously enjoying themselves, and are among the many things to entrance show-goers.

Camryn Marshall calls the production “a mix of favorite storybook characters. The cast has gotten together to make a real fun story.”

"Into the Woods" will be presented at the theater at First United Methodist Church only three days, Aug. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and a matinee on the 19th at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.